Spa champ is among award winners

TALENTED Droitwich sports stars were among those honoured at an awards ceremony held by Wychavon District Council last Wednesday (September 19).

Michael Pardoe of Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club scooped the prestigious Senior Male Sports Personality of the Year award while Russell Adams from Gaudet Luce Golf Club won Coach of the Year.

Droitwich Rugby Club’s Mini and Junior teams capped a terrific night for the town by walking off with the Junior Club Team of the Year honour.

The trio of sporting Spatans were honoured at the authority’s Sports Recognition Awards which took place at the Civic Centre in Pershore and recognised sporting talent and achievements made across the district during the past year.

Michael has dedicated his time to realising his potential as a senior boxer over almost two decades since he joined the town’s popular amateur boxing club at the age of nine.

He has had 136 bouts to date which is estimated to be the highest number of any amateur boxer in England and has won more bouts than he has lost.

The also boasts a proud record of never having been stopped or counted out and this year realised his dream of winning a Midland Counties senior boxing title.

Russell was honoured for his junior golf project which he created to encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

After funding was cut from schools, Russell continued to run the sessions free of charge to ensure the opportunity to learn

was still in place.

Droitwich Rugby Club’s mini and juniors have had continued success with the under 13s competing in the North Midlands Championship for three years running and the under 16s making the North Midlands Youth final.

Wychavon chairman and Droitwich town councillor, Coun Richard Morris presented the awards and said: “It’s been a really exciting and inspirational year for sport on a national level with the huge success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic

Games and also on a local level too.

“We have been busy helping people create their own lasting legacy by teaming up with local clubs, groups and other community organisations to organise 29 Community Games events, attracting 50,000 people and over 1,000 volunteers.

“We have also managed to attract over £10,000 of external funding to try and get young people aged 14-25 back into sport, and have also organised two Olympic Torch Relays over five different locations,” he added.

Winners of the awards will now be entered for the County Sports Partnership awards to be held in November.